This year's Visitor and Member Survey told us that many people would love to see our Firehouse exhibit return. We've just launched a Member's Campaign to do just that, with a goal of raising $3,000—the amount we need to refurbish, repaint and restore the exhibit to working order, replace costumes, transport and install the exhibit, and plan for programming. A blazing hot preview event for all donors and their families is planned. Please help "kindle" a love of learning and "spark" children's imaginations by making an online gift today at https://donationpay.org/habitot/.

We are delighted to announce this year's opportunity to recognize and reward our community's most exemplary preschool teachers, whose work often goes unrecognized outside of individual schools. From April 16 - May 31, download a nomination form from our website to nominate a teacher you know and love. Preschool teachers from all over the Bay Area, from all types of schools, can be nominated. Nominations will be reviewed by a distinguished panel of independent judges and winners will be announced in July. Prizes include gift certificates, Habitot memberships, free field trips and many in-kind gifts of toys, books and supplies welcome in any preschool classroom. Nominators of winning teachers receive a 5-Visit Pass! An awards ceremony open to the public is planned for September.

Habitot’s 4th Annual Mother’s Day Auction is around the corner! We are still accepting donations of cabin rentals, sailboat rides, or professional services you can offer to make the May 1 - May 10 auction a success! If you work at a restaurant, spa, yoga studio, theater, jewelry store, dance studio or cooking class kitchen, we welcome gift certificates as well. Please contact Lauren in the Development Office at 510-647-1111 x31 or dev.habitot@gmail.com. Deadline for donations is April 24th.

Many of you got to know and love Ada Spanier during her fourteen years at Habitot. She arrived, unannounced, on Habitot's very first day of operation, way back in April 1998. When she saw all the excitement and commotion at this brand new museum, she asked, "who's in charge here? I want to volunteer!" She began volunteering the very next day, and within months was hired on as Family Services Coordinator. She was 79 at the time! Ada's last day at Habitot was the end of February when she and her husband relocated to Chicago where her son lives. In her time here, she launched the "Purple Parenting Cart" stocking it with helpful articles for parents and caregivers twice a week. She initiated the "Ada's book giveaway" program on her 90th birthday, eventually distributing over 1,500 free books to children at Habitot. And she gave grandmotherly advice and support to literally thousands of parents and caregivers. We'd like to honor her enormous contribution to Habitot and we are seeking your input on ideas. Please email Gina at habitot@lmi.net

Each year, hundreds of local charities, schools and preschools and other educational services request Habitot's support for their fundraising efforts, and Habitot responds by providing one of its 4-person Family Passes. Last year, 175 schools and agencies were given a pass, a combined value of over $6,000 in free admissions. To request a pass for your children's or educational nonprofit organization or school, please sent a request letter on organizational letterhead and a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) to PMB 326, 1563 Solano Ave. Berkeley CA 94707.